Belinda's fight for sight

Belinda was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2010.

It’s more prevalent in women and can come in two forms, dry and wet. Belinda was initially diagnosed with dry macular degeneration after going for a routine eye test. She was shocked as she hardly had any problems with her sight beforehand.

After the diagnosis she didn't really notice any difference with her vision. However, as a keen sailor and being a lover of the sea, one day she noticed that the horizon was slightly wavy and this caused her some concern.

From then on her eye sight started to deteriorate slowly. She has now developed wet AMD and has cataracts in both eyes. Belinda’s central vision has been affected and she has had to make certain adjustments in her life, giving up her passions such as photography, having once taken the photo of Mikhal Gorbachev, and bookbinding.

Belinda has an incredibly strong and positive outlook. She didn't want to simply sit around and do nothing. Instead of donating to a charity, she wanted to have a hands on approach and was keen to get involved with fundraising. She wanted to fundraise for a charity that could help others like her who were affected by sight loss. Fight for Sight was the only choice.

Belinda has also had cataract operations on both eyes.

Belinda said: "So many people have a connection to sight loss, whether it's first-hand experience or through a loved one. I believe the only way forward is through eye research. I want to support Fight for Sight and their mission to prevent sight loss.

“If I have one message I would urge people to go and get their eyes tested regularly in order to help detect any sight problems. It’s very sad to see people accepting sight loss where there are treatments. There is some fantastic research happening and with more funding and more research many more conditions will become curable and sight loss may become a thing of the past.”

Age-related macular degeneration

What is it?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula – a small part of the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye (the retina). We use the macula for the central, detailed vision needed for reading and driving.

AMD can be diagnosed as either ‘dry’ or ‘wet’. Dry AMD is more common and generally results in a slower loss of vision.

Wet AMD progresses more quickly. About 1 in 10 people with AMD have the wet form. It happens when unhealthy new blood vessels grow under the macula. They leak blood and fluid, which damages the tissue.